The University of Manitoba Senate Meeting met on Jan. 5.
The Senate approved the proposed academic schedule for the 2011-12 year.
Statement of Intent for new diploma program
A Statement of Intent for a community recreation and active living diploma was put forward by the faculty of nursing. It was explained that the faculty must first ensure that adequate classroom and lab space as well as clinical placements are available for students. Another Statement of Intent was also put forward for an internationally educated agrologists certificate program by the faculty of agricultural and food sciences.
International College of Manitoba annual report raises concerns
The International College of Manitoba presented their annual report on operations before accepting questions and comments from the Senate. University of Manitoba Faculty Association president Cameron Morrill raised questions concerning the number of classes and labs used by the college.
Reponses indicated the average class size is about 30 students. Classes are held
in St. Paul’s College, the Engineering building and in the Agriculture building. ICM is not in charge of allocating space. It was said that the ROSE project plans to look at how space can be more equitably handled.
A response to additional questions from the Senate indicated that the ICM and the U of M are not competing for students, as ICM students do not meet admission requirements for U of M.
University of Manitoba Students’ Union vice-president (advocacy) Murat Ates raised the issue that the students are lacking direct representation, since ICM students are not part of the U of M student body, they are technically not
represented by UMSU.
Director of ICM, Susan Deane, noted that the college is tracking well with graduation rates and that most students are keen to progress to the U of M. Deane said that ICM and U of M must work as a team in order to open opportunities for students and promote the university.
It was mentioned that ICM was approached by the MBA program to consider offering a pre-MBA program.
Curriculum/course changes and admissions approved
The motion for a computer science-statistics joint honours program was carried.
Reports of the Senate Committee on Admissions added CPR and immunization requirements to the application for the four-year bachelor of nursing program. In addition, the Asper school of business proposed an undergraduate program reform. The Critical Thinking course is no longer a requirement of the Asper program, which is going to have major implications for the faculty of arts.
A new bachelor of arts honours in theatre will also be offered at St. Boniface College in the near future.
